In a previous issue of our newsletter, we discussed the increasing popularity of open access in academic publishing and the concerns associated with this trend. Today we will introduce another bold new paradigm for academic publishing that aims to tackle some of the same long-standing issues that open access aims to address. That is, the idea of post-publication peer review (PPPR).
In Japan, many of us have had to animal-proof our trash bins to prevent animals from causing a large mess. Crows in particular are difficult to keep out due to their apparent high level of intelligence. Japanese ornithologist Hiroyoshi Higuchi PhD recounts an observation in his recent book Nyusuna Karasu Kansatsufuntoki of “faucet crows” in a Yokohama park where female carrion crows figured out how to operate water fountain faucets with their beaks to drink and bathe.
In recent years, there have been many trends toward reform in academic publishing, such as the increasing popularity of open access, the call for improvements to the peer review system, and efforts to increase transparency. The common theme among these trends might be called “accessibility”. In keeping with this pattern, it was recently reported that Taylor & Francis has recently begun promoting “plain-language summaries of publications”, which are lay summaries of research.
A diet packed with nutritious fruit and vegetables contributes to gastrointestinal health and quality of life, so access to these foods is very important. Community allotments where households are given plots of land for agricultural use are a common sight in Japan, but what about in the home? Household gardens are a cost-effective and easy way to grow foods such as bell peppers, cucumbers, garlic, tomatoes, zucchini, and herbs such as thyme, rosemary, peppermint, basil and parsley.
